Where to stay in Gizo — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Gizo is the Solomon Islands' second-largest town and the capital of Western Province, sitting about 380 km west-northwest of Honiara. It's the country's diving heartland — home to the 140-metre WWII transport wreck Toa Maru, the near-intact Grumman Hellcat fighter resting in just 12 m of water, and Njari Island, which holds records for the most fish species ever logged on a single dive. Gizo is also the gateway to Kennedy Island, the Kolombangara volcano and Marovo Lagoon, the largest saltwater lagoon on earth. Here's where to stay, what to dive and how to get around.
Why stay in Gizo
World-class WWII wrecks
The 140 m Japanese transport Toa Maru offers multi-level diving from 7 m to 37 m, with a tank, sake bottles and medical supplies still visible inside.
Some of the richest reefs
Njari Island holds records for the highest fish-species count on a single dive, with clear water, 20 m-plus visibility, right in the heart of the Coral Triangle.
The famous Kennedy Island
The island JFK swam to after PT-109 was rammed is a 10-minute boat ride from Gizo jetty — easy snorkelling and a short loop walk around the islet.
Truly off the beaten path
A small, quiet town with welcoming locals and almost no crowds — ideal if you want to swap the tourist trail for real ocean and island life.
Pick an area first — where to stay in Gizo
Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel
Gizo Town CentreWaterfront · fresh market · main wharf · walk everywhere
Coming soonOuter islands (Mbabanga / Fatboys)Over-water resorts · quiet · snorkel off your deck
Coming soonSaeraghi & TitianaWhite-sand beach · surf breaks · traditional villages
Coming soonKolombangara IslandRainforest lodge · volcano-trek base · 50-min boat
Coming soonRanked reviews — find your ideal stay in Gizo
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
We're rolling out Gizo stay reviews — meanwhile search Gizo hotels across all 3 sites now
Local dishes to try in Gizo
- 1🐟
Fish in Lolo
Fresh fish simmered in rich coconut-cream sauce known locally as lolo — the standout local seafood dish, found all over town.
📍 Signature - 2🍠
Poi
Pounded, fermented taro with a mild tang — the Solomons' national dish, eaten as a side with fish.
📍 National dish - 3🥥
Kakake
Grated cassava mixed with coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaf and steamed to a soft, pudding-like sweetness.
📍 Sweet snack - 4🍞
Ulu (Breadfruit)
Starchy breadfruit roasted, boiled or fried — a core carbohydrate of the island kitchen.
📍 Staple - 5🐟
Grilled Tuna & Reef Fish
Day-boat tuna and reef fish, charcoal-grilled or served as sashimi, caught fresh in the waters around town.
📍 Seafood - 6🥗
Lagoon Greens & Tropical Fruit
Taro leaves, sweet potato, bananas and tropical fruit from the waterfront market, washed down with chilled young coconut.
📍 Market fresh
- 1🚢
Toa Maru II Wreck
A 140 m Japanese transport that sank in 1943, lying on its starboard side from 7 m to 37 m. A tank, sake bottles and bicycles remain — the best wreck dive in the Solomons.
📍 Diving - 2✈️
Grumman Hellcat
A near-intact WWII fighter sitting upright in just 12 m of water — accessible to divers and confident snorkellers alike.
📍 Shallow dive - 3🐠
Njari Island
A tiny uninhabited island famed for extraordinary coral and fish diversity, a 20–30 minute boat ride from Gizo Harbour.
📍 Snorkel / dive - 4🏝️
Kennedy Island
Where JFK came ashore after PT-109 was rammed by a Japanese destroyer. A 10-minute boat hop for snorkelling, a beach BBQ and a short island loop.
📍 Historic islet - 5🌋
Kolombangara Volcano
An extinct volcano rising to 1,800 m, one of the country's highest peaks. Imbu Rano Lodge is the base for the ridge trek to Mt Veve.
📍 Trekking - 6⛵
Marovo Lagoon
The world's largest saltwater lagoon, with villages renowned for ebony kastom carvings. Reached by onward boat from Gizo or Munda.
📍 Lagoon / carving - 7🏖️
Saeraghi Beach
The finest white-sand beach on Ghizo Island, at the western tip, reachable by road through authentic local villages.
📍 Beach - 8🛍️
Gizo Market
The heart of Western Province, where islanders trade fish, produce and wood carvings along the waterfront — the best taste of local life.
📍 In town
Things to do in Gizo
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Gizo — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Gizo hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.2Upper-mid
★ 9.0ValueImagination Island Eco Resort
Private-island eco resort with beach
★ 9.0Valueโรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในGizo
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
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Compare real-time room availability for your Gizo dates
🚆 Getting around Gizo
Fly from Honiara
Solomon Airlines flies direct Honiara (HIR) to Gizo (GZO) in about 90 minutes, eight times a week — the fastest way in.
Airport boat shuttle
Nusatupe Airport sits on a separate islet; a short boat shuttle ferries you across to Gizo town (most resorts arrange transfers).
Small boats for islands
Kennedy Island, Njari, Kolombangara and every dive site are reached by small banana boat, arranged through dive shops or resorts.
Walk the town
Gizo town is tiny — the waterfront road links the market, wharf, eateries and most accommodation within a few minutes' walk.
Cash (Solomon dollars)
SBD cash is essential; ATMs exist but can be unreliable and most places don't take cards, so carry enough cash.
Where to go next near Gizo
Frequently asked — where to stay in Gizo
Do I need to dive to enjoy Gizo?+
No. While Gizo is famous for diving, many highlights work as snorkels — the Hellcat fighter sits in just 12 m, and Kennedy Island and Njari are gorgeous from the surface. You can also island-hop, trek the Kolombangara volcano, browse the market and boat out to Marovo Lagoon.
How do I get to Gizo?+
Fly first to Honiara (HIR), the capital (usually via Brisbane or Port Moresby), then connect on a domestic Solomon Airlines flight to Gizo (GZO), about 90 minutes. From Nusatupe airport island you take a short boat shuttle into Gizo town.
When is the best time to visit Gizo?+
The drier months (roughly May to October) are best, with calmer seas and good underwater visibility. Water stays warm at around 28°C year-round, but as a wet tropical region rain is possible any season — always confirm boat and domestic flight schedules ahead.
Ready to book your Gizo stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking